Persis F.E. Albee is so famous that a unique Barbie doll was created in her honor. She has been called “The Mother of the California Perfume Company.” Others call her “The First Avon Lady,” even though the company did not produce the Avon line until after her death.

Persis Foster Eames, the daughter of Alexander & Miranda (Howe) Eames, was born 30 May 1836 in Newry, Oxford Co. Maine, and died 7 Dec 1914 in Baldwinville, Worcester Co MA. She married Ellery Albee, a native of New Hampshire, and an attorney and counsellor.

David H. McConnell

At age 50 she went to work for David McConnell, owner of the Union Publishing Company (later called the California Perfume Company) selling books. Persis was the president of the Winchester (NH) Literary Guild. David noticed that the small perfume samples given out to potential female customers were very popular. He hired Persis as the first employee of the California Perfume Company, and produced the first “Little Dot” perfume set.

It was Persis who showed McConnell the business model that made his company famous. She recruited women, called “Depot Agents” who sold their perfume products within their own communities, to people they knew. She promoted the idea of a business opportunity for women who needed money, and could work within their own social relationships. Women who could travel became “General Agents” who recruited new Depot Agents. By 1903 the California Perfume Company had a network of over 10,000 agents.

One story states that McConnell liked the Avon name, after visiting Shakespeare’s home in England. At any rate, in 1928, the company began to use this name on their products, in addition to the California Perfume Company name. In 1930, David’s son, David Jr., took over the company, and in 1939, two years after his father’s death, and 25 years after Persis Albee’s death, he renamed the company, “Avon.” The company went public in 1946.

Thomas Eames, b. 1618 in England, died He died Jan. 25, 1680, age about 62 in Framingham, Middlesex CO MA. He resided at Dedham MA 1640, Medford MA 1652-59, Cambridge MA 1664-65, Sudbury MA 1669, Sherburn MA (now a part of Framingham) 1674-75. He married 1st) abt 1640 to Margaret –; He married 2nd) abt 1662 in Dedham, Norfolk Co MA to Mary Blanford. From Temple’s History of Framingham, Mass.: “Thomas Eames probably had in all twelve children, of these the first child died young, his wife Mary was killed by the Indians Feb. 1, 1675-76 at which time the children were all taken captive or killed. John, Nathaniel, Samuel, Margaret, Elizabeth and Mary and one other taken captive; John, Nathaniel, Samuel, Margaret, Elizabeth and Mary escaped or were released.” A stone which marks the site of the Thomas Eames house at Mountwait, Framingham reads: “Here stood the house of Thomas Eames burned by the Indians in King Phillips War Feb. 1, 1675-76. His wife and five children were slain and four carried into captivity. This Memorial Is Placed by the Desendants A.D. 1890.” A soldier in the Pequot War 1637.Children of Thomas & Margaret Eames:
1. John Eames, b. 16 May 1641 in Dedham MA, died young.
2. John Eames 2d, b. 6 Oct 1642 in Dedham MA
3. Mary Eames, b. 24 May 1645 in Dedham MA
4. Elizabeth Eames, b. abt 1646 in Dedham MA
Children of Thomas & Mary (Blanford) Eames:
5. Thomas Eames, b. 12 July 1663 in Sudbury MA
6. +Samuel Eames, b. 15 June 1664 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co MA
7. Margaret Eames, b. 8 July 1666 in Sudbury MA
8. Nathaniel Eames, b. 30 Dec 1668 in Sudbury MA
9. Sarah Eames, b. 3 Oct 1670 in Framingham, Middlesex Co MA
10. Lydia Eames, b. 23 June 1672 in Framingham MA

My cousin Ron Ames and I have been DNA matched to Thomas Eames. We have been working very hard to find the generation that switched from Eames to Ames. We have joined the Ames Society recently but have not been able to find the family that made the switch. We were wondering if you with your vast family backround may have a hint. We suspect it might be in the late 1700s to early 1800s. Any information you may have would be greatly appreciated. Best Regards, Craig Ames

I am also direct descendant by DNA. Our name was changed to Ames some time around 1830-40 by my gggggrandfather Jonathan Carver Ames in Penna. after moving there from Dedham to Vermont and then to Penna. I don’t know why the E was dropped.